AFS recognizes that ride-sharing services are becoming more a part of the transportation culture in the United States and are generally available in most host communities. While AFS generally discourages the use of ride-sharing services and apps by AFS participants who are alone or unaccompanied by an adult, AFS understands that there may be instances when ride-sharing may be the best possible transportation option for the student and the host family.
Uber is a popular ride-sharing-service app that currently allows unaccompanied minors to use their app for transportation services. Please note that not all ride-share companies allow unaccompanied minors to utilize their service. The AFS participant and the Host Family are responsible for knowing about the availability and reputation of ride-sharing apps in their community and such companies’ policies before allowing an AFS participant to utilize a ride-share app.
AFS participants are permitted to utilize Uber and other ride-sharing apps that allow use by unaccompanied minors (“Permitted Ride-Sharing Apps”) for their transportation needs when riding alone or unaccompanied by an adult, but their use should always be discussed and with the permission of their host family beforehand. The safety features of Permitted Ride-Sharing Apps should be reviewed on their website and in the app and discussed between the AFS participant, sending parents and host family prior to their use. In addition, we offer the following additional safety tips for participants:
- Plan ahead and think about where you are headed and review the route on a map app and be familiar with the safety features in the ride-sharing app.
- Wait indoors, when possible, while placing the ride request and waiting for the ride to arrive. Avoid spending unnecessary time outside alone with your phone in your hand.
- Make sure that the driver has a decent rating and has given a lot of rides. This information is available in the application. If you are assigned a driver who has a sub-par rating or seems to lack experience, or if you are uncomfortable with the ride—follow your intuition and instincts—cancel the ride and request another driver.
- Check that the driver, vehicle, and license plate all match what’s listed in the app before you get into the vehicle. Never get into a vehicle with a driver who claims to be with a ride-sharing service and offers a ride.
- Ask the driver, “What’s My Name?” and make sure the driver tells you the name of the passenger they are picking up rather than first offering their own name for confirmation.
- Sit in the backseat, if you are riding alone, so that you can safely exit on either side of the vehicle to avoid moving traffic. This also affords you additional personal space and distance from the driver.
- Buckle up and wear your seatbelt. If there is no available or functional seatbelt, cancel the ride.
- Share your trip details with your host family and a friend. Use in-app features, whenever available, to share information about your driver, car, and location. If in-app features are not available or functioning, let your host family and friend know about your pickup location and destination.
- During the ride, follow along with the trip in real time, noting any unusual shifts in direction that are not on the designated route shown in the app, then speak up, and use ride-sharing-app safety features as explained on their website and in the app. And if you ever feel you’re in an emergency situation, call 911 immediately.
- Do not share your phone number or contact information with your driver. The ride-sharing apps facilitate communications by anonymizing both your and driver’s phone numbers to protect everyone’s privacy.
AFS does not recommend, endorse, or approve of Uber or any other ride-sharing service. It is up to the AFS participants, sending parents and their host families to investigate and understand the reliability and safety of ride-sharing services available in their communities and make informed decisions based on their needs, concerns, and comfort.